When Dunedin’s Willowbank Distillery ceased operations in 1997 it was the end of an era stretching back to 1974, and for a time the end of whisky distillation in New Zealand. Willowbank’s many thousands of litres of whisky still aging away in cask were auctioned off or stored away safely, with the NZ Whisky Company buying the last 443 barrels in 2010. Since then NZWC have blended and bottled several releases from that original purchase, with many of them winning international acclaim.

As all good things must though, the old Willowbank stocks are coming to an end. Here at Glengarry, we are proud and excited to have our hands exclusively on the very last selection – Cask 565: 18 years old and bottled at cask strength. A piece of Kiwi whisky history, but even more than that an absolutely delicious dram. This is one for the collectors and the enjoyers alike, so don’t be slow.

For the NZ Whisky Company the future is very bright. With new general manager and head distiller Michael Byars at the helm, they have returned whisky production to Dunedin with a brand new distillery being set up within the walls of Speight’s Brewery. Look out for their water-of-life in the near future, and get excited – Glengarry’s own bossman and knower of all things whisky, Jak Jakicevich, declares it the finest new make spirit he has yet tasted.